Yaya Toure back to stay says Guardiola
LONDON: Pep Guardiola declared Yaya Toure is back to stay in the Manchester City squad after the midfielder’s two goals earned a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace.
Guardiola had been scathing about Toure’s fitness levels earlier this season and had not given the Ivory Coast midfielder even one minute on the pitch since a Champions League preliminary round tie in August.
With the likes of David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan returning tired from international duty and with a vital Champions League week coming up, the City boss handed Toure a belated chance in his Premier League line-up on Saturday and he responded in style.
“I would say that Yaya’s performance is not about my decision. It is about his quality,” Guardiola said.
“Yaya’s a normal guy. His emotions are quiet so he was calm before the game. Yaya has trained really well for the last month-anda-half, two months. His physical condition, his weight is better than ever and I’m so happy for him and especially his family.
“I’m so happy because he’s now a real part of the team. He can help us to achieve our targets because we need all our players in order to achieve our targets.
“And now we have Yaya. He was in training every day with us and I’m so happy for that, so glad, not ( just) for today’s performance. Now he is ready as the player who can play with us again.
“I am happy that is comfortable for him, and especially his family, his wife. Yaya is a very special player. We are very happy he is staying with us and he can play for us like he did today.”
Toure was applauded back into the City changing room after the match by every member of the squad, a reaction that Guardiola described as normal.
“Yaya is a guy who was here for five or six years. He has a lot of experience and a lot of quality,” he said.
“His teammates and the staff appreciate him a lot. So that’s no doubt why they were so happy.” — AFP